O Christmas Tree!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the Christmas tree.  I remember from when I was little setting up the tree and hanging the lights and placing the ornaments on the tree was my favorite.  My family always put on Christmas music, drank hot chocolate and reflected on memories as we saw ornaments from years past.  Last year was the fist year I had a real Christmas tree. Ryan and I got a tree here in Seattle and decorated it together.  We knew it would be the first of many trees we would decorate together. This year we really wanted to go up to the mountains and chop down a tree (a la National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) but with everything going on this month we just couldn't fit it in.  So instead we went to a great tree lot over in Ballard operated by the Boy Scout troop 1000.  I would highly recommend this lot to anyone in the Seattle area.  The had a great selection and great prices!  There were so many trees to choose from: Noble, Douglas, and Great Pine oh my!    

A view down the lot of all the amazing trees

Ryan with our chosen tree, a Douglas Fir!  It has an amazing smell!!!

A quick picture of the finished product, it looks so great and really makes our house smell fantastic

Sarah, Caitlyn, and Cinderella!

This year for Christmas Ryan and I wanted to be a little different in our gift giving to his nephews and niece.  We wanted to do things with them and create experiences that they would remember much longer than a toy.  So for Miss Caitlyn we decided that I would take her to see Cinderella, the musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein.  I was soooo excited to take her and really looked forward to the day, which was the same day as Gingerbreads.  So after we created our candy cottages we changed into our most beautiful dresses to attend Cinderella. 

Upon arrival to the 5th Avenue, Miss Caitlyn informs me she is very hungry, she had forgotten to eat dinner in the excitement of Gingerbreads and had filled up on candy.  Awesome! We walk in and she immediately sees Red Vines and asks me if I will buy them for her, of course I do, the child was hungry.  Now looking back, I think I may have been duped.  Anyway we get into our seats and enjoy a  Lovely Night!  It was really an incredible show and soooo much fun to go with a little girl! I hope that Caitlyn remembers this night as much as I know I will! 

Miss Caitlyn - in her Cinderella dress, not really wanting to smile for the camera

Only shot of the two of us together (she didn't really like that I asked a stranger to take the picture :)

Gingerbreads

It's that time of year! Time for jingle bells, mistletoe, and of course... Gingerbreads!  You may remember that I was in Seattle a few weeks before Christmas last year and I was able to participate and experience Gingerbreads at Ryan's parents house.  It is a simply amazing day that Ryan's mom puts together for her grandkids, kids, her friends kids and grandkids and other family friends.  There is quite possibly the largest assortment of candy ever seen out of a candy store and of course a few dozen gingerbread houses ready to be decorated!  I truly love this Donaldson family tradition and am so glad I get to partake in this day.  Here are a few pictures of my house from this year.    

The front, complete with Santa ready to deliver gifts.  I also love those lego candies!

Candy canes, jelly beans and red hots oh my!  I think Buddy the Elf would love this house 

More candy!

A quick shot of Miss Caitlyn decorating her house and a brief look at the rest of the table

Half Marathon, there is nothing Half about it!

Last Sunday I put all my training and hard work running for the last several months to the test.  I ran the Seattle Half Marathon.  It wasn't my first 13.1, but it was the first one I have done in three and a half years.  Needless to say, I was SUPER nervous.  Ryan was amazing as a supporter through everything.  He had been training to run the half too, but got sick a few weeks ago and wasn't able to train like he wanted to.  It was a game time decision for him, but he decided not to do it, but it was going to help me and be my cheerleader! This began with going to the expo.  Okay, so for those of you that have never run a large marathon/half marathon the expo is a big deal.  You pick up your packet and usually end up spending a lot of money on running things that you absolutely MUST have.  I would urge you to use any restraint.  I however, do not have any.  I bought several sparkly headbands (I mean who doesn't need them right???) and seriously considered signing up for several half marathons and marathons.  Ryan enjoyed the expo too, we spent a lot of time there and probably a little too much money.  

Banners for the marathon through the whole city

Next up, a sleepless night of tossing and turning and wondering if I had trained enough, if I have the right clothes to wear, what if I sleep through my alarm and miss this (I've worked so hard), what if we can't find parking and I have to run to the start, what if I get hurt.  Alarm goes off at 5:55am, time to get ready and push all the what ifs away! It's game time! I start my quinoa in the microwave and drink a little water with a nuun tablet.  I make my race water bottle with another nuun tablet and get dressed.  It's an unexpected 51 degrees so I opt for my black running crops, the official race shirt (very nice by the way) and my black vest.  And of course my new sparkly black headband.  Shoes on, bib on, timing chip on my ankle, time to leave!  Ryan drove to the start and made sure I got in line okay and met up with Mike, my friend Karen's fiancee who was going to run with her bib and with me for awhile.  Ryan got this great snapshot of me in the corral.  

    

I look like I am ready! All nerves gone, it's all fun now!!

And we are off!! The race starts at Seattle Center and runs down Fifth Ave through downtown.  I start out strong but at about 2 miles I realize this new fangled timing chip is kind of hurting my ankle.  At 3 miles I stop to adjust it and find blood running down my ankle, fantastic, but it feels much better after the adjustment.  Then it's on to I-90 and through the tunnel, that part was pretty cool, how often do you get to run on the highway?  Then the course turns north through a park and very nice neighborhood along the lake.  Just after mile 5 I hear someone calling my name, it's Ryan's dad!  Hi Bob! Sure I will stop for a picture. I feel good!

Mile 5 photo op! 

Okay, back to the course, it's about to get hilly!! As we climb and wind through interlaken and the arboretum, I know there is still a BIG hill to come.  As we leave the arboretum (which was really beautiful by the way, a really pretty part of the course) I see people turning left up Galer and I do mean UP! This hill was a monster, but I did it!  Mostly because of my cheerleader at my side but I did it, I ran the whole hill and then some before taking a quick break for water and a final GU.  We are at mile 10 already, I can't believe it!  Then before we know it we are making the big turn down along I-5 and towards downtown.  Again between miles 11 and 12 I hear my name again, it's Ryan's mom Sue! Hi Sue!  I am really glad to see another friendly face at this point.  This was the hardest part for me, I was so wet and ready to be done. 

Almost there! Only two tenths of a mile to go!

As we wind through the end and head towards the finish line I smell the most delicious smell ever.  I ask Ryan what it is, he says to look at the building next to me, I see the Hostess factory.  YUMMY! I want some goodies now! But I am almost done just a half mile left .  As we make the final turn towards the end there is one last hill.  Really! Is this really necessary? It was a killer since I was so close to being done, but I got through it and made the real last turn toward the finish line.  Time to turn on the burners and go all out.  Time to revert to my days as a sprinter and time to beat anyone and everyone in my eyesight!! I cross the finish line and am immediately handed a medal and a warming blanket.  Then Ryan is by my side for a kiss.  He is so proud of me and my training.  I feel so happy to be done and to feel good at the finish line.  In the recovery area we stock up on water, bananas, Jamba Juice and meet up with Bob and Sue again.  As we leave they have computers to check your official time.  Although it was definitely not my fastest (remember all those hills) it wasn't my worst either and most importantly I had a negative split. I ran the second half 3 minutes faster than the first half (and that's where all those hills were!) After seeing that stat I am ready to recover and then take on the Marathon!  Bring it!!!

Thanksgiving, what I am thankful for..

I love Thanksgiving.  I feel it really gives us a chance to reflect on all we have to be thankful for.  It is also a time to look back on memories and traditions.  This year especially I have been thinking about memories and traditions with the passing of my grandmother earlier this year.  I am so glad that I was able to spend Thanksgiving with her last year, I was able to surprise her and the rest of my family on Thanksgiving day.  It was so fun to share that day and that memory with her.  The only thing missing was her amazing oyster casserole.  Since I am the only grandkid that would eat the oyster casserole and my dad and grandma were the only other two people that would eat it she didn't make it last year.  It was always a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it was my grandmother that instilled my love of oysters.

This year as Ryan and I prepared for Thanksgiving he asked me if there was something we could do to bring my family traditions into his family's Thanksgiving.  I instantly thought of oyster casserole.  But I wanted to make it ours, something we could start as a tradition.  So with Ryan's amazing chef skills we took those same flavors I remembered from the time I was a kid and made our own oyster stuffing.  We used oysters from the famous Pike Place fish market and brioche bread to incorporate the buttery flavor of buttery Waverley Wafers.  We also added andouille sausage, onions, sage, thyme, and parsley.  I have to say it was a big hit at the Donaldson family Thanksgiving.  Everyone loved it and are already asking if we are making it next year.  I know that my Jeanie girl (my grandma) is looking down on me with a big smile.  I know she must be proud that I brought her recipe inspiration to the Pacific Northwest.

The oysters, andouille, onions and seasonings before mixing with the bread

Our Thanksgiving table

A Cup of Happiness

Today there is reason to celebrate in my world, the return of the Starbucks RED cup!  While on my 6 mile "easy run" this morning around GreenLake, I was a little grumpy until I saw what I thought and knew to be... a red cup!  I know this may seem very trivial and silly and a complete buy in to marketing techniques but I say the red cup is so much more than that.  To me it is the beginning of the holiday season, and I don't just mean Christmas.  Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away and honestly my favorite holiday of the season.  To me the red cup is a sign that the holidays are here, memories will be made, amazing food will be shared and a bit of magic is in the air.  I can tell you that the red cup also has memories attached to it.  I remember countless times with friends over a red cup, shopping trips, hair appointments or just something to keep my hands warm.  But don't worry too much, I can't bring myself to get a holiday flavored treat inside the red cup just yet, that would just be wrong.  Besides what is wrong with a little PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) in November?  Absolutely nothing, especially if you are drinking it from a RED cup!

Happy Howl-oween!

One of  my favorite holidays is Halloween and now that I have two dog to dress up and take trick or treating, it just makes it even more fun!  So on Halloween I got my boys all dressed up and we all headed over to Ryan's sister Joni's house for dinner, football (it was Monday night after all) and of course the main event... Trick Or Treating!  We had a great time, the kids got a TON of candy and the dogs even got a few treats at houses! 

Hercules - There's a new sheriff in town!! He loved his costume he kept it on all day

Roscoe - Dracula Dog, he did NOT like his costume and Ryan felt it was a little girly and too tight for Roscoe.  Half way through trick or treating he needed to take off his costume

Oh did I mention that I dressed up too - its me as Quinn Fabray from Glee!!

Quinn and Sheriff dog Hercules

Ryan's nephew Dyllan, LOVES Hercules.  He was a gorilla but with the black costume on you can hardly tell where Dyllan ends and Herc begins!  So sweet together.

Dyllan the gorilla by himself!

Dawg Dash

Okay, so my blog is WAY over due.  You see... some wine spilled into my computer and I no longer can use my enter or delete key...kind of important for blog writing.  So thanks to my amazing and wonderful boyfriend, I am writing on his computer.  He promises to let me use it for future blog posts too.  Sooo, without further delay here is my Dawg Dash post.

So my running bug is crazy strong right now, as is Ryan's (this is probably a good thing considering I would probably be very difficult to live with right now if you didn't understand this or were not going through half marathon training too)  So back on October 23rd Ryan and I ran in the Dawg Dash.  It's a 10k race that starts outside Husky Stadium, runs through University of Washington campus and finishes on the track inside Husky Stadium.  This year, this race was the last event to be held on the track inside Husky Stadium because it is undergoing MAJOR reconstruction and the track will be taken out and seats moved closer to the field.  We both had a great race and great times.  I was really booking it and ran my first mile at 8:39 - hello where did that come from!  And I PRed my 5k time too.  It was a great day, a great race and I can't wait to run it next year.

Dawg Dash finishers on the field

Crazy little thing called the running bug

Once upon a very long time ago...(almost six years ago to be exact) I met two girls that would in a way change my life.  On Halloween 2006, my very first shift in the ER in Chicago I met Hillary Moon (now Sanders) and Amy Haug.  They invited me to go to Starbucks with them, I knew we were going to be instant friends.  A few weeks later these seemingly uncrazy women asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon with them, I said sure even though I didn't really intend on doing it, heck I had only run 2 miles at once ever in my life.  Out of desperation of wanting friends or a little bit of craziness in my own right, I decided to do it!  I was going to train with these amazing women and I was going to run a half marathon.  I still remember pouring over Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham like it was gospel.  I learned how to train, how to eat, how to think like a long distance athlete.  I remember the first time I ran 5 miles, 6 miles (Amy and Jon that was the whiny run when I wanted to take a cab), the time I ran 8 miles all like it was yesterday.  I remember my first race, the 2007 Shamrock Shuffle and running it with Amy and Hillary side by side ...in matching outfits no less.  And I remember lining up a the starting line of the Indy Mini, our chosen half marathon wondering, can I really do this??  I did do it, and so did Amy and Hillary!  It was fun and we were so proud of our accomplishment.  

I ran 3 other half marathons over the next few years and trained for the Chicago marathon only to get injured and somehow vowed I would never run a marathon because I knew I could do it because I had run 22 miles in training.  I have fallen in and out of love with running, this amazing and CRAZY sport over the years but right now I am absolutely crazy in love with it again.  I am running the Seattle half marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving and recently have been getting the bug to run a marathon again.  Luckily there are plenty of crazys right here in Seattle to support me in this dream, including Ryan.  He too is running the Seattle half, his first, and I can't wait to line up at the starting line with him and to be there with him to celebrate at the end.  

Here are a few pictures from that first half marathon that started all this CRAZY love...

Here I am, ready to run 13.1

Me, Hillary, and Amy about mile 11-12, we still look pretty happy

Finishers!!!! With our medals and of course matching outfits head to toe

I am not really sure what I am doing here, but I always have loved this shot of me and Hillary

Don't Mess with a Texas Wedding

Last week I flew to Houston, Texas to witness the marriage of my sophomore roommate Elizabeth (Liz) Parke to Darren Kincaid!  I was so honored just to be there to witness the love between these two people.  I was also so excited to be part of the rehearsal dinner and their house party.  Liz and I were sorority sisters at Miami University... Zeta Tau Alphas, (Only the best get crowned) and have kept in touch over the years through phone calls and Christmas calls, but hadn't seen each other in awhile until Darren was on a business trip to Seattle and I finally got to meet him and catch up in person with Liz.  We had a great time and they even got to enjoy a meal at The Stone House.  The best news is that Darren will be doing a lot of work in Seattle and will be coming often so we are excited about hosting them in the future.  Okay... back to the wedding!  I had a great time and really enjoyed all the amenities of the St. Regis Houston! Here are a few pictures from the hotel...

I seriously felt like a queen here

The bar area...

Pretty bathroom, it also had a HUGE tub! I made sure to take a bubble bath... Oh and it had a phone in the bathroom, you have no idea how bad I wanted to make a call from that phone.

Welcome cookies from the bride and groom... delicious and they had my favorite, Snickerdoodles.

Time to relax by the pool

Liz and Darren had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Bell Tower on 34th, Houston's premier location for weddings!  We then moved inside for cocktails, dinner, dancing and SERIOUSLY the best wedding band ever...Time Machine.  It was so fun to catch up with old friends, sorority sisters and to meet new friends too!  My pictures seriously do not to any justice to this beautiful bride, handsome groom and bridal party and amazingly beautiful reception.  I will post a link to the photographers pictures when they are available. 

The guys... Loved watching Darren watch Liz walk down the aisle

The girls... so pretty with those purple gowns

Time for vows... almost Mr. and Mrs.

You are now Mr. and Mrs. Darren and Elizabeth Kincaid!  Kiss the Bride!

The reception room

A wine and Tuscany theme and olive oil for a party gift

The cake... delicious

Miami girls and Zeta girls

First dance time

Me with the Beautiful bride

Meet the Beast... Hercules!

I just wanted to write a quick post with some pictures to introduce all of you to Hercules!! Ryan and I have been thinking about getting another dog for a little while now.  We have been looking on petfinder, at the shelters and even got on a few waiting lists for puppies that didn't work out but we just kept looking and a few weeks ago found a 4 year old Newfoundland/Lab mix on petfinder.  He definitely fit a lot of what we were looking for (a big dog preferably a Newfie or Bernese) and he was already crate trained and housebroken!!  We traveled out to Black Diamond, Washington to Puget Sound Rescue to meet "Billy" (Herc's name before we changed it).  We immediately fell in love with him, the next test was if he and Roscoe got along.  They did really well and even played a little at their first meeting so we brought him home with us!  A few funny and entertaining things about Hercules:

1)His name...like Hercules from the Sandlot, it seemed perfect for him! And he already knows his name

2) When in a car he hangs his head out the window and attempts to "get" the other cars - HIGHLY entertaining to anyone watching!

3)Yes he is crate trained, but he can also Houdini his way out of the crate.  The crate remains intact, the dog appears untouched and he doesn't get into trouble just gets out of the crate

4)The boy can eat... FAST! We have clocked him at 16 seconds for 2 cups of food!

5) When driving with him he looks like a small bear in the car, it makes for a lot of entertaining looks from people

6) He is so loving and sweet and gentle with kids, we can't figure out why someone would not want him, but we are glad that he is ours

Getting to know one another!

I love this picture, except that their eyes make them look really creepy

Let's hold hands

Happy Birthday Stone House

Throughout the summer and for other special occasions (New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day) Ryan does wine dinners on Sunday nights.  It is a great way for his customers to learn more about the amazing wines of Washington and the Pacific Northwest and provides a way for Ryan to be creative in his menu planning.  I am constantly amazed by what he does and I am always thinking he could never top this, yet each time is better than the previous one.  The biggest wine dinner is on the anniversary of The Stone House opening in September of 2008.  It is always with Stevens Winery.  Tim Stevens has been a family friend of the Donaldson's for years and now has his own winery, with some of the best wines in Washington.  If you ever have the opportunity to try his wines do not miss it!  I love these wines!  This year's Anniversary Dinner was really incredible.  Ryan did 12 courses with 5 main wine pairings and two different champagne pairings.  The dinner ran four hours but as a customer that night it never felt that long because I was constantly being challenged and surprised by the menu.  I am so proud of Ryan and the hard work, dedication and passion he puts into his work every day.

Menu of the fantastic dinner to come

Course #1: Oyster, Creme Fraiche, Caviar paired with champagne

What a decadent and rich way to start the evening 

Course #2: Textured Mojito

Think Mojito jello shot!  On top is spun sugar (read cotton candy) toped with mint - delicious

Course #3: Lemon, Sage, Sugar

A lovely palate cleansing amuse, I took a small bite before I took the picture, opps! It was like a little sponge that melted in your mouth

Course #4: Sope, Coconut, Red Pepper paired with 2010 Stevens Viognier

So yummy! The sope corn cake on the bottom topped with fresh crab, on the side a gelee of red pepper and coconut topped with avocado, spicy and smooth

 

Course #5: Salmon, Peach, Hazelnut, Lily paired with 2010 Stevens Viognier

This was the first of the interactive dishes on the menu, notice the salmon is over a bowl of lilies, the waitresses brought out hot steaming water and poured it into the bowls so that the smell of the lilies emanated the room and brought the flowers of the wine into the food.  Oh and the food was pretty amazing too!  Salmon cooked perfectly crusted in hazelnut with a peach sauce, wow!

Course #6: Dork Balls, Zucchini, Tomato, Cheese paired with 2008 Stevens Cabernet Franc

This was a really fun play on an old classic spaghetti and meatballs!  The Dork ball is a meatball made of duck and pork - read oh so delicious!! the Zucchini are sliced and cooked quickly to have the consistency of noodles with a tomato sauce and little cheese on top.  This was one of my favorite courses of the night.

Course #7: Duck, Endive, Marionberry, Licorice paired with 2008 Stevens Cabernet Franc

Perfectly cooked duck over sauteed endive and a licorice sprinkled on top with a marionberry dipping sauce.  This really complemented the Cabernet Franc beautifully.

 

Course #8: Foie Gras, Toast, Blackberry, Licorice paired with 2008 Stevens 424 Blend

Just a last little amuse before the last two main courses, a little foie gras decadence with blackberry and licorice to bring out the flavors of the wine, probably my favorite of the Stevens Winery the 424 blend!

Course #9: Buffalo, Fig, Gnocchi, Goat, Grape paired with Stevens 424 Blend

This was another perfectly cooked piece of buffalo and another interactive moment of the dinner.  The fig part of the dish is that encapsulation over the gnocchi (handmade of course).  You would break the encapsulation with your fork and out would pour a lovely fig sauce to enjoy with the buffalo, gnocchi and the goat cheese in the middle of the plate.

Course #10: Wagyu, Potato, Red, Blue, Rosemary paired with Stevens XY Cabernet Sauvignon

This was the most fun and I think the best dish of the night.  Let me start with the wagyu that was again cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth.  Now see the little glass on the top left part of the plate?  There is a small sprig of toasted rosemary inside, as you lift the glass the scent of the rosemary again permeates the room and flavors both the wine and the dish.  Potato- yes a little pomme frites on the side and Red and Blue? It's that little square on the top right a small square of blue cheese topped with a cabernet sauvignon gelee (the Stevens XY to be exact!)  This dish was perfect you would take a small bite of the wagyu with a chantrelle mushroom a few pomme frites, a small piece of the Red/Blue and then take a sip of wine, PERFECTION!

Course #11: Corn, Gelato, Crust, Banana, Curry paired with Stevens Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

This was a delicious and fresh way to begin the end of the evening.  A very clean tasting corn gelato with pie crust and curry butter.  I really got a lovely honey taste from the dish and the wine it was so nice and clean and light.

Course #12: Chocolate Red Wine Truffle paired with Stevens special dessert wine

Pure decadence in a small bite to end the evening with Tim Stevens giving our table a little special dessert wine.  

First let me say that my pictures do NOT do this meal justice.  One of Stone House's regular customers should be putting some pictures on the facebook page if he has not done so already, so please look at those if you get the change.  Again, I cannot express how amazed and impressed I was by everything placed in front of me on this fantastic night of eating and celebration.  I think one thing I really enjoyed was seeing the process develop this year, whether in my kitchen or from the ideas and inspiration Ryan drew on from our dinner together in Chicago and from reading about several world famous chefs.  It was so neat to see him in his interpretation and memories of those experiences.  I am so proud of him and honored to have experienced this meal!